crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This is a funny book about a group of middle school students who form a club to pull pranks. The fun part is that there is a website to go along with it that requires a password which is provided in the text.
A neat thing I noticed was that it's not totally about culture or representation, but the friends are diverse and inclusive (except for excluding the boy who might rat them out). Also, there are a few instances that have Ben, the main character, thinking about his heritage and questioning the history the school is teaching that seems to leave out the contributions of his culture. He researches it himself and when questioned by an adult, has the information to point out the omission. He is not rude about it, but it is a great thing for kids to see so they can also learn to question which voices aren't being heard or represented.
In class it would be cool to also investigate pickling. It would pair well with the picture book Ghosts for Breakfast which involves pickles of another kind.
A neat thing I noticed was that it's not totally about culture or representation, but the friends are diverse and inclusive (except for excluding the boy who might rat them out). Also, there are a few instances that have Ben, the main character, thinking about his heritage and questioning the history the school is teaching that seems to leave out the contributions of his culture. He researches it himself and when questioned by an adult, has the information to point out the omission. He is not rude about it, but it is a great thing for kids to see so they can also learn to question which voices aren't being heard or represented.
In class it would be cool to also investigate pickling. It would pair well with the picture book Ghosts for Breakfast which involves pickles of another kind.
storytimed's review against another edition
4.0
This is cute and the pranks were fun! Not much substance but didn't need it anyway.
jsh626's review against another edition
4.0
Jack: It was alright.
Merry: I really liked it!
Combined total score: 3.5
Merry: I really liked it!
Combined total score: 3.5
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome story. Love the pranks the kids came up with. Mainly because they were all in fun and not to prank other kids. Great characters!
pickett22's review against another edition
3.0
Alright, what to say about this one?
When it started out, I was really "meh." The writing was very elementary. Not only was it not challenging to read, it basically offered itself caught, shot, and served on a platter. And not in a good, "this just flows so nicely" kind of way. More like a, "hey, there's a word longer than two syllables, let's throw it a parade!" kind of way. You're writing for children, give them something to chew on and stop spoon feeding them.
Okay, enough with the food references.
Once the story got going, things got better. The narrative started out very vague. It was in a hurry to get into the meat of the story (couldn't help it), which made for a bit of a weak start, but once things got rolling it became much more complex and detail oriented.
The story itself was fun, stressful at times, entertaining, and written well enough that, when required, suspension of disbelief went unnoticed. All the things children's books should be.
The characters were well done: very round, and very realistic.
I really appreciate little network of websites accompany the book! This is brilliant on so many levels. My favourite was the Cat Vs. Dude Tumblr (which I now follow), but the hidden PTA website was also excellent.
One of the features of the book I really appreciated was the idea of a "code of conduct." It never really got fleshed out in the book, which might actually have been for the best. Instead it was demonstrated through Seiarra's prank that ended up hurting other people. Then on the website the "club motto" thing is "Harmus Nonus, Amusus Allus," and the rules include "don't be mean. Tears equal the end of the prank." The point of the book was that life should and can be fun, and things shouldn't be taken to seriously, but fun should not be had at the expense of others. I liked this. It wasn't presented in a preachy way, but it was still a strong theme.
One problem I had with the book was the role of adults, and the interactions the children had with them. This went mostly for Ben's parents, who make him work at the restaurant after school. At the end of the book, Ben says he "had a talk" with his parents, and they agreed to ask him to work, rather than tell him all the time. This was an interesting little comment, because this dynamic was not presented as a real problem throughout the book. And what exactly did that "talk" look like? There was also the problem of Seiarra's (I don't think I'm spelling this right) dad, who was an absentee parent who sends his daughter money to make up for everything he misses in her life. I liked this, don't get me wrong. It made her easy to relate to, and help the reader understand her motivations. However it seemed like a big issue, which never was addressed (as opposed to Ben's issue with his parents, which seemed non-existent, and yet was addressed. Sort of.) Then there was the principle, but I actually really liked her. She was a great elementary-school villain.
So! Final thoughts and recommendations: I liked it! I would definitely give it to a kid to read. It's something that is easily read alone, and is fun enough to keep the reader's attention the whole way through. Not likely to be the next big thing in the book world, but still a quick, fun read.
When it started out, I was really "meh." The writing was very elementary. Not only was it not challenging to read, it basically offered itself caught, shot, and served on a platter. And not in a good, "this just flows so nicely" kind of way. More like a, "hey, there's a word longer than two syllables, let's throw it a parade!" kind of way. You're writing for children, give them something to chew on and stop spoon feeding them.
Okay, enough with the food references.
Once the story got going, things got better. The narrative started out very vague. It was in a hurry to get into the meat of the story (couldn't help it), which made for a bit of a weak start, but once things got rolling it became much more complex and detail oriented.
The story itself was fun, stressful at times, entertaining, and written well enough that, when required, suspension of disbelief went unnoticed. All the things children's books should be.
The characters were well done: very round, and very realistic.
I really appreciate little network of websites accompany the book! This is brilliant on so many levels. My favourite was the Cat Vs. Dude Tumblr (which I now follow), but the hidden PTA website was also excellent.
One of the features of the book I really appreciated was the idea of a "code of conduct." It never really got fleshed out in the book, which might actually have been for the best. Instead it was demonstrated through Seiarra's prank that ended up hurting other people. Then on the website the "club motto" thing is "Harmus Nonus, Amusus Allus," and the rules include "don't be mean. Tears equal the end of the prank." The point of the book was that life should and can be fun, and things shouldn't be taken to seriously, but fun should not be had at the expense of others. I liked this. It wasn't presented in a preachy way, but it was still a strong theme.
One problem I had with the book was the role of adults, and the interactions the children had with them. This went mostly for Ben's parents, who make him work at the restaurant after school. At the end of the book, Ben says he "had a talk" with his parents, and they agreed to ask him to work, rather than tell him all the time. This was an interesting little comment, because this dynamic was not presented as a real problem throughout the book. And what exactly did that "talk" look like? There was also the problem of Seiarra's (I don't think I'm spelling this right) dad, who was an absentee parent who sends his daughter money to make up for everything he misses in her life. I liked this, don't get me wrong. It made her easy to relate to, and help the reader understand her motivations. However it seemed like a big issue, which never was addressed (as opposed to Ben's issue with his parents, which seemed non-existent, and yet was addressed. Sort of.) Then there was the principle, but I actually really liked her. She was a great elementary-school villain.
So! Final thoughts and recommendations: I liked it! I would definitely give it to a kid to read. It's something that is easily read alone, and is fun enough to keep the reader's attention the whole way through. Not likely to be the next big thing in the book world, but still a quick, fun read.
jbojkov's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story about a group of kids who wanted to create some mischief in their middle school and find companions. I thought it was pretty well-done. Making points without being too preachy. Give to kids who want something a little funny.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Starts out as a way to get money and meeting space for a club for pranksters, and snowballs into something more complicated.
Ben can't involve his best friend, because Hector's controlling grandmother is the principal. And Hector ratted Ben out for something he didn't even do. And can't Ben have other friends? But then his new friends start taking the pranks in directions Ben didn't want to go. The school is getting more irritated, and the "Pickle Club" has to come up with something for the Pioneer Fair, or blow their cover.
It all comes to a head in a "Frindle" like confrontation: Kids demonstrate for the right to have clubs and sports back.
Better: The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett
Ben can't involve his best friend, because Hector's controlling grandmother is the principal. And Hector ratted Ben out for something he didn't even do. And can't Ben have other friends? But then his new friends start taking the pranks in directions Ben didn't want to go. The school is getting more irritated, and the "Pickle Club" has to come up with something for the Pioneer Fair, or blow their cover.
It all comes to a head in a "Frindle" like confrontation: Kids demonstrate for the right to have clubs and sports back.
Better: The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I thought this was a better than average intermediate fiction book. Some of the pranks were pretty cute. I thought it dragged s little in the middle, but for the most part very enjoyable.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
This book is great fun -- it manages to balance on the fine line of hilarious pranks without being mean-spirited or hugely destructive. It also delves deep into the themes of friendship, family, and finding out who you are.